Writing is sometimes referred to as humankind's greatest invention. Undeniably,
the development of communication by writing was a pivotal step in the
advance of human civilization.

Modern theories on writing instruction focus on the process of writing-the
practices experienced writers typically use as they craft texts. The process-approach
to writing focuses on methods for generating, drafting, revising, and
polishing a piece of writing. As inexperienced writers become better versed
in these steps and the various strategies they entail, they become more
aware of textual and syntactic possibilities and how they help to achieve
meaning.

ABC's
of the Writing Process
This site shows the five basic steps in the writing process: prewriting,
writing, revising, editing and publishing. Viewers will find suggestions
for how to complete each step and links for more ideas.

The Elements
of Style
"The Elements of Style," is an easy-to-understand guide to correct grammar.
This online version contains the complete original text. It is filled
with tips on how to write clearly and correctly and how to avoid the most
common grammatical errors.

Help
Your Child Learn to Write Well
This online article provided by the U.S. Department of Education Office
of Educational Research and Improvement underscores the importance of
writing to a child's emotional and academic well being. It provides pointers
for parents and others to help establish a love of writing in young people.

University
of Richmond Writing Center
This site, maintained by the Writing Center at the University of Richmond,
includes excellent material on getting started with writing projects
and tips on peer editing. Visit, also, the material in "Focusing & Connecting
Ideas."

The University of
Victoria's Hypertext Writer's Guide
This guide contains many good points that can help writersl. Clear suggestions and examples help students with the process of
writing, including organizing, outlining, drafting, and editing their
work. There are sections on grammar, spelling, and usage, as well as
proper use of quotations.

Vocabulary University
Visit the Vocabulary University to learn how
to punch up your writing with new and fresh words.

Writing Den
Writing Den is designed for students Grades 6 through 12 seeking to improve
their English reading, comprehension, and writing skills. It is divided
into three levels of difficulty: words, sentences and paragraphs.

Great
Writers and Poets
A fairly wide-ranging directory of links to resources on the Web for numerous
authors, including information on Nobel Prize winners.

Internet
Public Library: The Author Page
This site at the Internet Public Library invites students to learn about
some of their favorite authors, plus read their answers to questions posed
by other students.

Scholastic's
Author Index
Meet your favorite authors and discover some new ones. The site features
live interviews, classroom activities, and author profiles.

Citation Machine
Citation machine helps students and professional researchers to properly credit the information that they use.

The Cliché FinderHold the fort! Use this searchable
website to find out if your writing is filled to the brim with
clichés. Don't
eat your heart out if it is, just consider this website a guiding
light to help you seize the bull by the horns and write
better.

Guide to Grammar
and Writing
Learn how to structure sentences, paragraphs, and essays. Ask and receive
answers to specific grammar questions. Take a quiz to test yourself in
many areas, from grammar and spelling to vocabulary.

The
Hero's Journey
An online creative writing environment created
for storytelling. Students use the
writing tools to create their own stories and develop the characteristics
of their primary character by responding to the tool's framing questions.

KnightCite
This service simplifies the often tedious task of compiling an accurate bibliography in the appropriate style by formatting the given data on a source into a reliable citation, eliminating the need to memorize minute details of style for multiple kinds of sources.

Storyteller
In StoryTeller, you are the author. You can contribute a story yourself
or read the many stories written by children from around the world. Click
on the topic you'd like to contribute to.

Using Appropriate Language
This site covers some of the major issues with appropriate language use: levels of language formality, deceitful language and Euphemisms, slang and idiomatic expressions; using group-specific jargon; and biased/stereotypical language.

Wacky Web Tales
Choose from over a dozen different story titles, then fill in the blanks
for different parts of speech. After you've identified all the words,
click and a nonsensical story will be made with them.